Machine for packaging materials.



G. W. GWINN.

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS.-

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1909.

IVITNESSES Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

- 4 SHEETS-SHEIFT 2.

w 9 Ki G. W. GWINN'.

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1909.

' Patented 0ctf20,1914.

I I '4 SHEETSSHEET s. 26 3 36 M tw- 2 o J L" I 9 31 A 1.9

. LB 30 I, 30

WI NESSES a G. W. GWINN.

MACHINE FOR PAOKAGING MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1909.

SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' INVENTORI 1 4: a {3 V I v 3,3 "US.

I wwkj Patented Oct. 20, 1914;

UNITED STATES P am OFFICE.

I GEORGE W; GWINN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC PACKING & LABEL- ING COMPANY, OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, A CORPORATION OF NORTH CAROLINA.

MACHINE. FOR PACKAGING MATERIALS;

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

Application filed July 8, 1909. Serial No. 506,581.

To all wltom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE lV. GWINN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State tainer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient bag-holding device, into which the charge is forced after being partially compressed.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for keeping the face of the plunger, which forces the compressed material into thebag, free of adhering particles of the material being packaged.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means to straighten the downwardly-projecting ears or tabs upon the lower end of the bag so that said tabs or cars will readily pass into the bag-shape where said ears are folded under, the upper end of the bag being thereafter closed and sealed while remaining in position in said bag-shape or form.

The invention will be best understood upon reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of so much of the machine as is necessary to a complete understanding of the invention; Fig. 2 a vertical sectional view, showing the turret which carries the bag-holders and the parts which cooperate therewith; Fig. 3 a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. i a similar View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 a vertical sec-- tional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2, illustrating the means employed to straighten out the ears or tabs on the lower end of the bag prior to the same bein filled and removed from the bag-form; F ig. '6 a perspective view of one of the bag-holders, the swinging or pivoted side being shown as removed; and Fig. 7 a detail sectional view showin one of the pockets of the turretinto which the bags are introduced after they are filled and in which they are held while the upper end is being closed.

Where small packages are being filled, it is found difi icult and sometimes impossible (owing to the nature of the material being handled) to properly feed the same into a small bag or container, and the presentconstruction is designed to overcome this difiiculty by introducing the charge from the scale-pan, or otherwise, into a receptacle from which the bag or other container is suspended. The material, after having been fed into said receptacle, is partially compressed and thereafter forced downwardly into the bag by a plunger while the bag is held in the form. As the bag is retained by the plunger the bag-holder is withdrawn from the bag, and the bag with the charge I of compressed material therein is left within the bag-form. I

In packaging tobacco, the stock sometimes becomes sticky, owing to the presence of dampness, licorice or the like, and tends to adhere to the under face of the plunger which is employed to compress the material. In the present instance means is provided whereby the under face of the plunger is wiped off after every operation; or in other words, it is subjected to the action of a sponge or the like, which is held in a receptacle charged with gin and glycerin or any equivalent cleansing fluid, which will form a film upon the under face of the plunger and prevent the material from adhereing thereto.

The invention is illustrated in connection with a machine employing two turrets, one carrying the bag-holders and the other the bag-forms in which the filled bags are depositedfor the purpose of being operated upon by the folding andsealing mechanisms. It is conceivable, however, that the invention may be employed in conjunction with other types or forms of machine.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 denotes the bed of the machine, to the under. side of which is secured a bracket 2 forming the support for the lower end of a vertically-disposed shaft 3, said shaft also finding a bearing in through the hub of the gear by a cam or other suitable mechanism actin upon a le ver 6, 1ink,7,,and stepped block, 8, into which the reduced end of the shaft extends,

as will be clearly seen upon referenceto'Fig. 2. The weight of the shaft and its attached parts normally depresses the block and its in turn meshes with a gear'lO secured to the combined stop and actuating plate 11*of-a Geneva movement, employed to operate theturret 12 which, as will be seen upon refer-' ence to Fig. 1, is secured to a shaft 13 which shaft in turn is secured to thehub of the gear 10. This mechanism is substantially the same as that shown in my copending application Serial No. 506,579 filed on the 8th day of July, 1909. I

Any driving mechanism which will serve to rotate the shaft and the turret and to elevate the shaft from time to time may be employed. v

Extending upwardly fromthe bed 1 is a column 14: (Fig. 2) provided with a guide 15 which coacts with a roller 16 secured upon the outer end of an arm 17 which latter forms the support for the funnel 18 into which the material to be packaged is discharged from the automatic weighing mechanism or from any other suitable source. The arm 17 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 3 and moves upwardly and downwardly therewith. Said arm is provided with a downwardly-extending bracket 19 (Figs. 2 and 3), said bracket forming the support for a'cam 20, which functions with the swinging sides of the bag-holders, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The shaft 3, has secured to it a plate 21, which forms the support for the various bag-holders and charge-compressors, which are arranged around its periphery, four of said holders and compressors being shown in the present instance, all of which are alike. Each of said holders and compressors comprises a box-like structure open at the top and at one side for the reception of the compressor-plate and at the bottom, adjacent to one side, for the discharge of the com ressed charge ofmaterial. In the specific orm illustrated it is composed of a heavy substantiall U-shaped casting formed with a bottom 22 and partial side sections 23 and 24, said side sections being tapped (as shown in Fig. 6) to receive the tap-screws which pass through verticallydisposed walls 25 formed upon the plate 21. Said plate, as will be seen upon reference to Fig. 2, is formed so that the bottom ofthe box or receptacle lies in a plane below the plate. Secured to the partial side sections 23 and 24 is a sheet metal member which forms a withoutward y projecting flanges 28 which, aswillbe seen upon reference to Fig. 6, are beveled and taper away toward the bottom and as will be seen upon reference to Fig. 2, stands in alinement with one side or margin of the opening formed 'in the bottom of the. receptacle or compression chamber. A simcontinuation of, said sides, and the outer wall 26 of the receptacle or compression chamber. Extendin -downwardly from said'wall is a late liie member 27 provided of said plate-like member. This member forms the rigid fixed side of the bag-holder ilar late 29 forms the opposite side of the bagolder, said plate being pivotally connected at its upper end to ears or lugs 30, extending outwardly from the members 23 and 24:. Projecting upwardly from the member 29 is an arm 31 provided with a slot 32, through which extends a pin 33, carried bythe wall 26, the head upon the pin serving to limit the outward movement of the arm 31, thus preventing the upper end of the arm and the roller 34: carried thereby from being thrown out of operative relation with the cam 20 with'whichthe roller 34:- functions. To relieve the arm 31 from undue strain when the roller 34 hits the cam 20, the arm is provided with a plate 35 which coacts with a fixed plate 36 mounted upon the member 26. The frictional contact be tween these plates also serves to hold the swinging plate or side of the bag-holder against free swinging movement.

Mounted in the open inner side of the compression chamber is a vertically-disposed push or compressor plate 37, provided with a projection 38 to which is secured a slide 39, said slide, as will be seen upon reference to Fig. 5, being mounted in ways or guides formed in the plate 21. The slide is provided with a downwardly-projecting roller 40, which extends into a groove or cam-race formed in the upper face of a cam 41, the hub of which encircles the shaft 3. Said cam is shown in detail in Fig. 4:, and is held against rotation about the shaft (while bein free to move. up and down with the plate 213 by an arm 42 secured to the under face thereof, the arm at its outer end being 11 forked and engaging a post 43 which is secured to and extends upwardly from the bed 1, 'see Fig. 1. The cam is so formed that the compress'or-plate'or movable side 37 will be held in its retracted position during a quarter revolution of the machine, see Fig.

4, after which the side is moved inwardly to compress the charge which has been depos- I ited, and held in this position until the bag with the charge therein has been removed from the holder and carried into the bagform.

To prevent the material being packaged from dropping onto the slide through the openings formed in the plate 21, when the push plate 37 is moved outwardly, a cover plate 44, Figs. 2 and 3, is secured to the slide and extends inwardly over the slots formed in the plate 21. -The plate 37, at the right in Fig. 2, is shown in its retracted position and consequently theslot in which the projection 38 works is closed by said plate, while at the left of said figure the slot is shown as open, the plate 87 having bee moved outwardly.

In the operation of the machine, the bag is designed to he slipped over the depending plate-like members 27 and 29 of the bagholder, and this is accomplished by drawing the inner ends of .the plates together and slipping the bags thereon, and then if need be (though this is not usually the case) spreading said members apart by moving the arm 31 inwardly. The friction of the bag as the narrow sides press against the plates or the flanges thereon is suflicient to maintain the bag upon the holder.

When the shaft 3 has been rotated to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the charge will be passed through the funnel 18 into the charge-receiving and compressing chamber at which time said chamber -cupies a position directly below the funnel. The machine is so timed that after this charge is received the shaft 3 and its attached parts are lowered, the ears or tabs 15 upon the lower end of the bag at such time extending outwardly, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. In order to straighten these tabs and bring them into vertical alinement with the sides so that the filled bagmay he passed into the bag-form, means'is provided for straightening out or setting such tabs at this stage. Said mechanism is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.

Extending upwardly from the bed 1 is a post 46, to the upper end of which is pivotally connected :1 pair of levers 47, the upper ends of the levers being urged toward each other through the action of a spring 48 which is connected to the upper ends of said levers. To the lower end of each lever is secured a plate 49 adapted to enact with the flat face of its adjacent bar 50 secured to the bed or table and preferably extending over an opening 51 formed therein, said opening permitting the tabs or cars 45 to pass down through the same, should they be of a depth greater than the thickness of the bars. Each of the levers is provided with a roller 52, adjacent to its upper end, adapted to coact with pins 53 secured to the supporting plate 21 and extending downwardly below the same.

As the plate, or turret as it may be termed, with the bag-holders having the bags thereon, is lowered the pins 53 come into contact with the rollers 52 and rock the levers, thereby throwing the lower ends thereof inwardly against the outwardly-flaring tabs or cars 45, thus forcing said tabs against the straight .said holder is e tion of the turret 12 and the lever raises and lowers the shaft 3.

' faces of the bars 50, and bringing the same arrest the swinging movement of the levers as the upper ends thereof are drawn together through the action of the spring 48.

As the shaft 3 is again elevated prior to its being given a partial revolution, the pins 53 are thrown out of contact with the rollers 52 and the plates &9 are withdrawn from contact with the ears or tabs 45 of the bag by reason of the action of the s )ring 418.

W hen the bag, with its aps or tabs straightened or set, is elevated to the'full extent, it is given a quarter of a revolution and is then brought to position beneath a plunger which serves to fully compress the charge and stri the bag from the holder as levated whilc the plunger remains stationary, in its lowered position.

As the turret is moved from the position wherein the tabs have ust been straightened or set, or from the position indicated by A in Fig. 4, to the position B in. Fig. 4, the cam 11 moves the side or plate 37 inwardly, thereby compressing the charge or that portion thereof which still remains in the box or compression chamber and reduces the same -in cross-sectional area to a size equal to or slightly less than the internal dimensions of the bag. hen the bag reaches the posi tion B in Fig. 4, it stands beneath the plunger and compressor 56 (Figs. 1 and 2) which member is carried by an arm 57 that in turn is secured to a vertically-movable shaft or post 58, endwise reciprocatory motion being imparted to said shaft. through a link 59, connected to an arm or lever 60 which is operated by any suitable mechanism, such as a cam operated in unison with the mechanism which controls the step-by-step rota 6 which \Vhen the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, the bag-holding turret is lowered and at the same time the plunger and compressor 56 is lowered, the bag entering the bag-form 61, one of which forms is shown in detail in Fig. 7. As will be seen upon reference to said figure, the upper side walls of the form are beveled or inclined, as at 62, in order to receive the downwardly-projecting tabs 45 of the bag, and thus insure the proper entrance of the bag into the form. The bottom of the form is provided with membtrs 68 having inclined walls or faces adapted to turnthe tabs inwardly beneath the bottom of the bag to a greater or les extent.

As the bagcomes to rest in the form, with the bag-holder still therein the plunger and compressor 56 "descends through the restricted compartment and forces the -'m'aterial therein downwardly into the bag. When it has descended to its full extent, it comes to rest uponthe upper face of the material, and the shaft 3 and the attached turret will then move upwardly and the bag-holder isthereby withdrawn from the bag, the bag and its contained charge remaining in the bag-form with the plunger resting upon the top of the charge. WVhen the holder has been withdrawn, the plunger is moved upwardly to its full extent, thus leaving the bag and its compressed charge in the form. The turret 12 is then rotated and passes under. suitable folding mechanism which folds the upstanding edges of the bag, closes and seals the same. The closed bag then comes to position over a plunger 64:, the edges of which are slotted, as at 65, to facilitate the passage of the plunger by the ing provided with a downwardly-extending partition 67,to one side of which, in an opening formedsin the upper face of thebox, is placed a sponge or the like. The upper surface of the sponge stands slightly above the box and in line withthe lower face of the plunger. A filling opening, provided with a closure 68, is mounted upon the top of the box at the opposite side thereof, and through said opening the cleansing fluid, such as a mixture of gin and glycerin, is introduced. As the turret is rotated, at

'which time the plunger is elevated, the

sponge will contact with the under face of the plunger, wiping across the same and removing any adhering particles, at the same time subjecting the under face to acoating of gin-and glycerin which has the effect of preventing the adhesion of the material which comes in contact with the plunger as it packs the contents of the bag. As will be noted upon reference to Fig.' 3, each of the filling and compression compartments is provided with such a box.

While I have shown the filling and compression compartments or chambers as applied to a machine of the turret type, it willbe, readil understood that the generic .in-.

.one side; means suspended from said receptacle to hold a bag with the mouth thereof adjacent to the opening; means for compressing the charge in the'receptacle; a

plunger adapted to pass downwardly through the receptacle and to force the ma terial therefrom and into the bag; and means for withdrawing the bag-holding means from the bag and charge while the plunger remains stationary.

2. In a machine'for packaging materials,

the combination of a receptacle having an opening therein; means for holding a bag with its mouthad-jacent to said opening; means for compressing a charge of material within the receptacle and carrying the same .over and into alinement with the opening and the mouth of the bag; a bag-form adapted to receive the bag and its contained charge and holder; a plunger serving to force the compressed charge from the receptacle into the bag and to hold the bag and the charge while the holder is being withdrawn; and means for actuating the plunger.

3. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive a charge of material to be packaged, said receptacle having a restricted opening adjacent to one side thereof; a bagholder suspended from said receptacle; means for compressing a charge of material within the receptacle and carrying the same over into alinement with the opening and the mouth of the bag; a bag-form adapted to receive the bag and its contained charge; a plunger adapted to pass through the receptacle to force the charge therefrom and into the bag; and means for raising the receptacle and-the holder while the plunger remains at rest, whereby the holder will be withdrawn from the bag and the charge will remain in the bag in a compressed condition.

l. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a turret carrying a series of receptacles, each adapted to receive a charge of material to be packaged; a compressor plate Working in conjunction with each of said receptacles; means for moving said plates inwardly and outwardly; a bag holder suspended beneath each of said receptacles in line with an opening formed in the bottom thereof; means for expanding said bag-holders and thus bringing the bags mounted thereon to a distended position; a

second turret provided with a series of bagforms; and a plunger adapted to successively remove the partially compressed charge from each receptacle and to compress the same within the bag when the bag is within one of the forms.

5. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive a charge of material to be packaged; means for partially compressing the charge within saidreceptaclc; and a bag'holder located in line with an opening formed in the bottom of the receptacle, said holder comprising a fixed plate, a pivoted piate, an arm extending upwardly from said pivoted plate, means for normally holding said arm in its adjusted position, and a cam coiperating with the arm and adapted to throw the lower end thereof outwardly away from the fixed plate, whereby the bag which is.

slipped over said plate will be distended.

6. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive a charge of material to be packaged; means for partially compressing the charge within said receptacle; and a combined bagform and holder comprising two downwardlv extending members, one of said members being fixed and the other pivoted, an arm extending upwardly from said pivoted member, a-stop to limit the outward movement of said arm, a friction device adapted to hold said arm in its adjusted position, and a cam cooperating with said arm and adapted when tne arm 1s brought into juxtaposition therewith to throw the upper end of said arm inwardly, thereby expanding the bag-holder and distending the bag placed thereon.

7. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a bag-holder; and means for bringing the normally outwardly and downwardly projecting tabs or cars extending from the bottom of the bag into alinement with the sides of the bag.

8. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a bag-holder adapted to hold a bag in its distended position, with the tabs or cars upon the bottom thereof extendng outwardl" from the holder; fixed 1nem hers; a pair of movable members adapted to be brought against the tabs and to force the same against saidfixed members; and means for actuating said movable members whereby. the tabs will be brought into alinement with the sides of the bag.

9. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a bag-holder adapted to hold a bag in its distended position, with the tabs or ears upon the lower end of the bag extending outwardly therefrom; a pair of bars located in line with said holder; means for bringing said holder, with the bag thereon,.into operative relation with said bars; and means for forcing the tabs against the bars, whereby said tabs Will be brought into alinement with the sides of the bag.

10. In a machlne for packaging materlals,

the combination of-a bag-holder adapted to I hold a bag in its distended position, the tabs or cars thereon extending outwardly from the bag; a pa1r of bars arranged in lme with the bag-holder; means for moving the abag-holder extending downwardly therefrom, adapted to hold the bag in a distended position, with the tabs or ears upon the lower end thereof extending outwardly therefrom; a pair of fixed bars; means for moving the receptacle and the holder so as to bring the tabs of the bag into proximity to the bars; a pair of swinging levers; a plate mounted upon each of said levers, adapted to force one tab against the adjacent bar; and means for moving said levers so as to cause the plates to function.

12. In a machine for packaging materials,

the combination of a receptacle adapted to contain a charge or material to be packaged; a bag-holder extending downwardly therefrom and adapted. to hold the bag in a dis tended osition, with the tabs or ears at the closed end extending outwardly therefrom; a pair of fixed bars arranged in-alinement with the lower end of the bag; a pair of levers: a plate carried bv the lower end of each of said levers, the plates being adapted to cooperate with the adjacent fixed bars; means for normally throwing the lower ends of said levers outwardly to thereby carry the plates away from the bars; and means secured to the receptacle and adapted to coact with the levers and to throw the lower endsof the same inwardly. to thereby force the plates against the tabs and the tabs against the bars, whereby the tabs will be set or straightened. 4

13. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a receptacle adapted to receive a charge of material; a bag-holder extending downwardly therefrom; a plunger adapted to be passed through said receptacle and to force the material into the bag; a wiper carried by said receptacle at one side thereof; and means for moving said wiper beneath the plunger after the same hasbeen withdrawn fromthe receptacle.

14. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a turret; a plurality of receptacles carried thereby, each adapted to receive a charge of materialto be packaged; a bag-holder carried by each of said receproo tacles; a box mounted upon each of said receptacles and adapted to contain a cleansing fluid; a wiper extending upwardly above the face of the box; and a plunger adapted to remove the material successively from each of said receptacles into its bag, the plunger normally standing in its elevated position above the receptacle, whereby as the turret is rotated the wiper will be carried beneath the plunger for cleaning the same.

15. In a machine for packaging materials the combination of a bag-form adapted to receive a bag and its charge of material, said form being provided at its upper edge, on its oppositely-disposed Walls, with inclined or cut-away portions adapted to defleet the projecting tabs of the bag inwardly; and means located at the lower end of said form for throwing said tabs inwardly beneath the bag.

16. In amachine for packaging materials, the combination of a bag-holder adapted to hold a bag in its distended position,'with the tabs' upon the lower closed end thereof extending downwardly from the bag; means for bringing said tabs into approximate alinement with the sides of the bag; a bagform adapted to receive the bag and its contained charge, said form having its upper inner faces cut away to receive the tabs aforesaid; and means located at the lower portion of said form to throw the tabs inwardly beneath the bottomlof the bag when the bag is fully lowered into position within the form.

17. 'In a machine of the class described, a bag-holder or receiver embodying relatively movable sections capable of entering and expanding withina bag; means for positively holding said sections in expanded relation;

and means operative to remove a bag there-- for folding the normally outwardly and downwardly projecting tabs or cars at the opposite lower corners of a bag thereo against the bottom of the bag.

20. In a machine for packaging materials, the combination of a movable bag-holder; and means for bringing the tabs or ears extending from the bottom of a bag thereon into folded position against the bottom of the bag, embodying a pair of reversely in clined surfaces arranged to cooperate with such'tabs or ears during movement of the bag-holder.

- In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. GWINN. Witnesses:

R. L. PATTERSON, M. M. WHEDBEE. 

